BURMESE GOVERNMENT REQUEST TO UPGRADE COM IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000044

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/23/2019
TAGS: OFDP ODIP PREL BM
SUBJECT: BURMESE GOVERNMENT REQUEST TO UPGRADE COM IN
WASHINGTON -- TAKE TWO

REF: RANGOON 42

Classified By: Charge D'Affaires Larry Dinger for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)

Burma wants dialogue in Washington; seeks qualified Ambassador
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1. (C) The Director General for Political Affairs, Burmese
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U Kyaw Tin, approached the
Charge at a reception Jan. 22 in honor of the 100th
anniversary of the birth of former UNSYG U Thant. The DG
conveyed a message from the Foreign Minister very similar to
that provided the embassy the day before by another MFA DG
(reftel). U Kyaw Tin said the Government of Burma (GOB)
wants to send a civilian to Washington as "ambassador." The
Foreign Minister believes he has treated the Charge here
"like an ambassador," even inviting the Charge at some recent
events to sit at the head table. The GOB sees a need to
engage in dialogue with the new U.S. Administration in
Washington; however, the incumbent Burmese Charge d'Affaires,
a military officer, "is not capable" of taking on a dialogue
role. The GOB believes Washington's past unwillingness to
process an agrement request for a military officer to be
Ambassador to the U.S. was because of the nominee's
"military" background. The GOB had a similar problem some
time ago with Australia. In that case, the GOB discussed the
issue, agreed to send a qualified civilian instead, and
Australia granted agrement. The GOB now hopes informal
discussion with the USG can result in an understanding that a
qualified civilian nominee would receive USG agrement to hold
the title of "ambassador," not "charge d'affaires."


2. (C) The Charge replied that he understood the message
and would pass the request to Washington for consideration.
The Charge noted that USG concerns about the political and
human rights situation in Burma may have played a role in
Washington's not acting on the previous agrement request.
The Charge referred to President Obama's inaugural comment
that the U.S. is prepared to extend an open hand if an
authoritarian government is prepared to unclench its fist,
suggesting that signals of genuine reform on democracy and
human rights issues would be helpful as the new
Administration considers any possibility of dialogue with the
Burma regime.

Comment and action request
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3. (C) We have seen no evidence that Burma's senior generals
wish to unclench their fists in meaningful ways. While the
regime plans elections in 2010, the senior generals intend to
control the process. Still, we have indications, including
this latest feeler, that some senior generals are interested
in engagement with Washington. With the Burmese regime, one
is unlikely to know what could result from dialogue until
actually discussing such dialogue. If the Administration
decides on direct Washington contact with the Burmese regime
in pursuit of our political reform agenda, signaling a
willingness to consider agrement for a qualified civilian
nominee would be a possible first step. We will await
guidance for a response.
DINGER